i have a 50/50 kingsnake i got early this spring. this is the first snake i have owned and i am kind of worried about keeping him warm enough this winter. it gets very cold where i live, and i don't always live the heater on while i'm at work. it has just recently started cooling off and i'm already having a hard time keepin the temperature up. i have a 60 gallon tank with an uth and ceramic heater. i can get the warmer side up to about 85 if i keep half the tank covered with a blanket but then it gets too humid. i was thinking that if i used sand instead of the bed-a-beast i am currently using it would help hold the heat. is there any reason not to use sand? i haven't heard of anyone using it so i assume there must be a reason. i feed in a seperated container so i wouldn't have to worry about him accidentally ingesting the sand. any advice will be appreciated.
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sand as bedding
Replies (2)
Most snakes would not enjoy sand as a substrate. It can get under scales be an irritant. Better would be aspen shavings, they're cheap, economical and easy to clean. Snakes can burrow in it so it also serves as an additional hiding area. This would be superior to the bed a beast and the bark in your photo. As you've seen the bed a beast adds too much humidity for a cali king. Let your snake tell you if it's warm enough, if it's always under the heat then you may need to get a higher wattage CHE for the winter. A water bowl placed on the warm end should keep your humidity high enough.
A lot of people just use newspaper, especially those with lots of snakes. You can't get much more economical, it's easy to clean but not very attractive.
Real nice looking Cali BTW
Hope this helps
BigT
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Hope this helps.
BigT
There is a difference between ignorance and stupidity. The ignorant can be taught, stupidity is beyond our control.
Why are you trying to keep the snake warm in the upcoming Winter? I say cool the snake to around 60 deg with no draft (keep the cage dark too), no food, give fresh water weekly and otherwise leave it alone until Spring.
As far as sand goes, it is usually more trouble due to its sticking to everything moist. It will get in the water bowl and on your floor no matter how careful you try to be. Not saying it is "bad" but rather that there are better alternatives from a husbandry standpoint. Aspen is good. So are sani-chips. Bed-a-beast is good too, but more "dirty" than wood chips.
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"All that glitters has a high refractive index."
Mark G
